California Thunder

Copyright California Thunder- Valerie Van Kirk-LeVier
                                    July 2015

Fastpitch Softball

​​​​Valerie Van Kirk-LeVier

Married to Coach Mark LeVier, two step-children, daughter, Lacey LeVier- graduated from Div I softball program after receiving a full scholarship, Univ of Toledo May 2010 majored in Business-Sports Marketing; MS from CSU Long Beach in Sports Management currently employed at Yee & Dubin Sports Management Agency. Son, Corey LeVier- BA in Communications from University of San Diego where he attended on Baseball Scholarship. Corey is currently in the Sports Management Masters Program at CSU Long Beach.

Occupation:  Director- Consultant                                                                        Education:   MBA- Organizational Management
                      LA County Probation Department- 25 yrs.                                                           BS- Criminal Justice; Minor- Sociology
                                                                                                                                                  Certificate- Paralegal Studies
COACHING:
14 yrs. coaching California Thunder over 100 that have played softball at colleges of all levels around the country. Valerie currently oversees the training for all Thunder teams ages 12u-18u.

  • Current Owner of The California Softball Academy
  • Coached two Adidas Select Teams
  • Instructor/former Owner of RBI Batting Cages (SOLD JAN. 2008)
  • Early 1990s - Assisted players and coaches from local OC ASA teams at the 16u & 18u level (Hot Stuff of Placentia  & Mavericks of HB
  • Camp & Clinic Instructor So. Cal
  • 1989 WIilson HS Varsity Softball Coach


NCAA PLAYER:
Cal State Fullerton (1985-1988); 4 yr. starter at 2nd base; 1986 National Champions
4x All Conference Selection
Top 10 in career games played, recently fell below top 10 in career steals; Top 10 in career steals

INTERNATIONAL PLAYER (1988) PARMA, ITALY- Italian National Champions (Sinco Parma); Batting Title (.410 Avg.)

ASA PLAYER- 18 UNDER (1983-1985) 2x STATE RUNNER-UP (INLAND CITY RAIDERS); 2x ASA 18u NATIONAL CHAMPIONS (CALIFORNIA RAIDERS-Phil Bruder)

1985 JR OLYMPIC USA TEAM- BRONZE MEDALIST

WOMENS OPEN DIVISION PLAYER (1985-1997)

  • 5x ASA ALL-AMERICAN SELECTION
  • 1989 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS (WHITTIER RAIDERS-Phil Bruder)
  • 5x PARTICIPANT AND MEDALIST IN U.S. OLYMPIC FESTIVAL
  • 1987 PAN AMERICAN TEAM TRIALS
  • 1991 PAN AMERICAN TEAM TRIALS
  • 1996 U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS


HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE (WORKMAN HIGH SCHOOL- 1980-1984):

  • 3 YEARS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL                        4 YEARS VARSITY BASKETBALL                4 YEARS VARSITYSOFTBALL
  • 2 TIME ALL LEAGUE SELECTION                        3 TIME ALL LEAGUE SELECTION                4 TIME ALL LEAGUE SELECTION

                                                                                       2 TIME ALL CIF SELECTION                         2 TIME ALL CIF SELECTION 

                                                                                                                                                                   * 1983 CIF CHAMPIONS
PROFESSIONALLY:
As  a player in the mid 1990s, Valerie participated on one of 2 teams that toured the U.S. to promote a professional softball league; originally known as the NFA, John Horan was the original promoter. http://www.profastpitch.com/about how the league was created, "Field research and market studies began later that fall and continued to take place through 1993. In January 1994, plans for a barnstorming tour were announced, and 18 months later two teams comprised of former collegiate all-stars played exhibition games in cities throughout the Midwest. The tour was an overwhelming success and provided the framework for a true professional league." 

Coach Val's Bio